Primary cell



Jan. 3l, 1928. 1,657,543

R. B. LYNN PRIMARY CELL Filed Feb. 9. 1925 Patented .lan`. 31 1928.

UNITED STATES i 1,657,543 PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH B'. LYNN, 0F LA. SALLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGN'OR TO NATIONAL CARBQNCOM- INCORPORATED, A CRPOBATIUN 0F NEW YORK.

PRIMARY CELL.

appiicauen and reti-nary a, ieee. serial no. 37,148.

This invention relates to primary cells of the type comprising a zincanode, an alkaline electrolyte and a depolarizer of granular orpulverulent material such as copper oxide, and particularly toa cell ofthis type in which all of the elements of the cell are enclosed in acylindrical sheetmetal container which also functions as the, cathode.

A n object olf the invention is to produce a primary cell in which thecontaining vessel and cathode is made of spun metal parts which may beeasily assembled to form a sealed sell without resorting to soldering orother similar operations. A further .object is to form a cell lwhich issecured against leakage of the electrolyte by joining a metal cover tothe container by crimping or spinning" the material to' form a liquidtight seam at the line of intersection of the cover and the container.Another object of the invention is to forni a cell of simpleconstruction which may be manufactured at a relatively` low cost so thatthe cell may be sold on a basis which will justil 'running it todescription and then discarding it as is the practice in using theordinary dry cell.

The invention will be more particularly described gin connection withthe accomu panying drawing, in which is shown a. vertical sectional viewthrough a cell embodying the invention..

In the figure shown, 1 designates a cylindrical sheet metal container,preferabl ot tinned sheet iron. The container 1 is c osed at the lowerend by a sheet metal closure 2 and at the upper end by a sheet metalcover 3, both of which are joined to the side wall ot the container bycrim ing or spinning the metal to form a liquid tight seam at the lineof intersection ot the side wall and the respective end closures. Auannular inwardly projecting bead 4 is formed by a' spinning operation inthe side wall of the container l on a line some distance above the lowerend of the container but adjacent thereto. A perforated cylindricalsheet metal member 5 o en at the ends is provided with an outwar lyprojecting bead v6 adjacent one end. This member 5 is of such diameterand length as to tit within the container 1 with its outwardlyprojecting portion 6 resting upon the inwardly projecting portion 4 ofthe container 1, thus defining an annular space 7. This space is filledwith granular depolarizing material, for example cop-y per oxide. lnorder to hold the partition member 5 firmly seated on the inwardlyprojecting bead 4, a disc 8 of suitable insulating material, for exampleporcelain or glass, is fitted upon the upper end of the partition 5.This disc is provided with an annular downwardly projecting ridge 9 onits lower side adapted to t within the upper end of the perforatedpartition member 5 to hold it in, suitable spaced relation to the sidewalls of the container 1. On the upper side of the disc 8 there is.provided a centrally disposed annular boss 10. This boss serves to spacethe body of the disc 8 from the cover 3 and to thereby define a space 11at the upper end of the cell which is filled with a suitable electrolyteabsorbent such as bibulous ground paper, sawdust, etc.' Should anyelectrolyte leak pass the disc 8 into the space 7, it will'be absorbedby the bibulous material therein.

The zinc electrode, `preferably in the form of an open-ended cylinder12, is suspended from the cover 3 by means of a bolt 13 which passesthroughv an opening 14 in the disc 8` and boss 10. The threaded end ofthe bolt 13 projects through the cover 3 and is engaged by a nut 15which seats upon a liber washer 16 insulating the nut fromv the `cover3. The threaded end of the bolt projects above the nut15 vand serves asthe negative of somewhat greater diameter than the openings in washers16 and 17, so that b tightening the nut 15 the ortion of the so rubberwasher not confine between' the cover 3 and the boss 10 will be drawninto the annular space between the edge of the opening in the cover 3and the bolt 13 and thereby serves to in insulate the bolt 13 from thecover 3 and also to prevent lateral movement of the bolt with res ect tothe cover. The zinc electrode 12 is preferably provided with slits 18 atspaced intervals to permit of free circulation of the electrolyte 19.

If desired, 'a layer of paraffin or other sealing material 2O may' bepoured upon the up er surface of the disc 8 before the absor nt materialis filled into the space 11, thus providing greater insurance aga'-,1.Ina

leakage of electrolyte. As a 'cathode terminal, a threaded member 2l isattached to the cover 2. Nuts 22 cooperate with the respective terminalsfor connecting the cell into the operating circuit.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a substantial space forelectrol te is provided below the lower ends of bot the copper oxideelement and the Zinc element. This serves to insure against shortcircuiting due to bridging of the space between the two elements bycopper oxide which may have sifted through the perforations of thepartition 5.

It will be seen from the drawing and the above description that the cellis composed of elements which are simple in form and which may bemanufactured at a relatively low cost. These elements may be easily assembled to form a finished cell which may be handled without danger ofleakage of' electrolyte and is ready for use when shipped by themanufacturer.

The cell is adapted for use in many situations where dry cellsheretofore have been employed. It is particularly suitable for use inradio A batteries.

I claim:

rimary cell, in combination, a combined siieet metal container andcathode having a cover joined thereto by a spun seal connection, a zincelectrode supported by, and spaced and insulated from said cover, alayer of depolarizer held in contact with the sidewalls of saidcontainer by a cylindrical perforated partition seated upon an inwardlprojecting portion of the side wall of sai container, and an alkalineelectrolyte associated with said electrodes.

2. In a primary cell, in combination, a sheet metal container having anannular inwardly projecting bead in its side wall near the lower endthereof, a cylindrical erforated sheet metal member loosely fittingwithin said container and supported by the inwardly projecting portionof said container, means holding said perforated member seated againstsaid container, said means consisting of a disc of insulating materialheld against the upper end of said erforated member by pressuretransmitte to a projecting boss on said disc from the cover of saidcontainer, and depolarizing material filling the space between thecontainer and the perforated member.

3.111 a primary cell, in combination, a sheet metal container having anannular inwardly projecting bead in its side wall, a cylindricalperforated partition having an annular outwardly projecting bead nearits lower end, said bead cooperating with the bead on the container tosupport said partition and to space it from said container, means tohold said partition against the annular bead on said container, anddepolarizing material filling the space between the container and thepartition.

4. A primary cell comprising in combination a sealed sheet metalcontainer having top and bottom members joined to the side walls by spunseal connections, an annular inwardly projecting bead in the side wallsof said container near the lower end, a cylindrical perforated partitionprovided with an annular outwardly projecting bead near its lower end,said last mentioned beaded portion being adapted to center the partitionwith respect to the container and to rest upon the inwardly projectingbeaded portion of the container, an insulating disc resting on saidpartition and adapted to hold said partition in position and to dene aspace for electrolyte absorbing means at the top of the cell,depolarizing material filling the space between the container and theartition, an exciting liquid in the cell an an anode depending from thecell cover.

5. In a primary electric cell the combination of a sheet metal containerhaving an inwardly projecting bead in the side walls thereof, aperforated partition of a shape similar to that of the container andhaving an outwardly projecting bead near its lower end, thel beadoilsaid partition resting on the bead of the container and extendingsubstantially to the side walls thereof, the bead of the containerextending substantially to the partition below the bead therein, adepolarizer between said container and said partition, an electrolyte insaid container and an electrode within said electrolyte.

In tetimonywhereof,1 affix my signature.

.RALPH B. LYNN.

